The Maserati Gran Turismo S name is synonymous with elegant design and optimum performance. And the Maserati Gran Turismo S combines the perfect balance between sportiness and comfort, shifting the emphasis onto dynamics and enjoyment.
The car…
The Gran Turismo S is the flagship for Maserati sporting flair, with acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds and a maximum speed of 183 mph, the highest ever reached by a standard production Maserati. It features a high specific power output and more torque at lower speeds, with a fantastic dynamic capacity to reduce and increase the revs quickly, typical of racing engines.
The power unit continues to be highly flexible and responsive in all driving situations. It sounds deep and throaty, but the exhaust valve pneumatic control can also be activated to make it discreet and comfortable.
The drive…
From behind the wheel, the Maserati Gran Turismo S feels taut and compact, thanks to the suspension layout developed specifically to support the new weight distribution benefiting handling and performance. The paddles on the steering wheel differ from the systems used by other manufacturers in that they are integral with the steering wheel column. This ergonomic solution means the driver never has to take his or her hands off the wheel. This improves safety, particularly on winding routes, and offers a more enjoyable driving experience.
The look…
The aesthetic modifications, although discrete, are highly effective and make the car body appear sportier without abandoning the sleekness of the lines masterfully designed by Pininfarina. And the interior, upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara reflects the sporty flair and dynamic design.
The engine…
The main technical innovation on the Maserati Gran Turismo S lives under the bonnet. Instantly recognisable thanks to its red cylinder head covers, the new 4.7 engine was developed specifically to increase the car’s performance and provide the driver with an even more exhilarating driving experience. The aim of Maserati’s engineers was to ensure maximum fluidity of operation and a definite sporty character as soon as the driver’s foot touches the throttle pedal.
The sporty exhaust…
The steel exhaust system consists of two exhaust lines, one for each bank of cylinders, compensated with a central silencer. Two pneumatic valves, controlled electronically by the engine control unit and operated by the driver through a button on the centre dashboard, are fitted close to the two rear silencers.
The layout…
The power unit on the Maserati Gran Turismo S features the transaxle layout, an architecture that belongs to Maserati’s engineering tradition and, not by coincidence, is typical of high- performance sports cars. The transaxle system further improves the Gran Turismo’s already excellent weight distribution due to the gearbox being moved back en bloc with the differential.
The adoption of the transaxle layout is instrumental in enhancing the performance of the Maserati Gran Turismo S, and contributes to the car’s excellent dynamic performance.
The electro-actuated transmission… This harnesses the greater power output of the new V8 4.7 and provides a heightened driving experience. The dual-plate clutch is a solution derived from the world of motor racing and brings various benefits to sports cars, including keeping the weight of the unit down significantly, and clearly reducing the power unit’s total inertia compared to a single-plate system. This arrangement allows the top engine speed to be reached more easily, and results in a more immediate gearbox response, quicker gear changes and, finally, improved driving dynamics.
The braking system…
The car is fitted with a high-performance brake system, which uses dual-cast technology for the front brake discs. The braking system also features ABS and EBD for better distribution of braking force between the front and rear wheels, both integrated with MSP Bosch version 8.0.
The car is also equipped with a ‘hill holder’ function. The device holds the car for a few seconds, so the driver has time to move his or her foot from the brake pedal to the throttle without the car moving. Equipped with an Electric Parking Brake (EPB), this means the driver can forget all about activating/deactivating the parking brake since it engages automatically when there is no engine power and deactivates when the accelerator pedal is pressed.
Suspension and configuration…
The Maserati Gran Turismo S is particularly agile and responsive to driver instructions and the driver can accelerate earlier when coming out of the bend due to the reduced load transfers.
On request the car can also be fitted with Skyhook suspension featuring continuously adjustable aluminium dampers. The electronic management system is able to continuously monitor the car’s damping: it operates through acceleration sensors which record the movements of each wheel and thus ensure that any surface unevenness is absorbed and the highest level of comfort guaranteed with a choice of settings.
The interior…
Without a doubt, the most distinctive features of the interior of the Maserati Gran Turismo S are the seats, with the contrasting central section characterised by horizontal piping. The interior is upholstered in Poltrona Frau Leather and Alcantara, although clients can select a more classic interior trimmed entirely in Poltrona Frau leather, or substitute the Alcantara lining with Peccary leather for a sporty yet sophisticated look. Customers can also choose the type of moulding they want for the dashboard and door panels/rear sides.
